REACTION: Tennessee QB Nico Iamaleava holds out over NIL?!

Star Tennessee Vols QB Nico Iamaleava might be looking for a better deal.

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[Jaackal]

Dude gets paid $2M a year, sat the bench year 1, was average in 2024 and got carried by an elite RB yet he wants a raise???

[johnbarton]

I was waiting for something like this to happen. This will be the first of many times this will happen

[oreopuppydawg]

I would tell Nico to kick rocks! He’s average at best! Put Merk In because he wants to be there.

[ozdon]

Nico just doesn’t look like he will live up to the hype. In Tennessee’s losses last season, there was a SIGNIFICANT gap between their QB play (Nico) and the opponents (Will Howard, Carson Beck, Tayler Green). There were PLENTY of weapons at his disposal. I don’t want to see anybody fail, but I just don’t know if this guy has it or not.

[GilbertM]

Just earned a subscriber. Thanks for the prompt and updated info on this situation 🙌🏽

[johnbarton]

As a Cleveland Browns fan since the early 80's the Browns will find a way to disappoint thier fans

[ARMY-epfz]

Nico I'm gonna leave you.. that's the best name Uncle Lou ever gave someone. In sll honesty you're worth whatever someone will pay you. Obviously someone is in his ear. When Michigan overpaid for Bryce Underwood it screwed everyone because it's like the NFL it sets the market. We paid much less for Keelon Russell who beat out Bryce Underwood at elite 11. But I have no doubt he'll ask for more too.

[Thetruth-fu]

Tennessee QB Nico Iamaleava is holding out of spring practice as he and his reps seek an NIL deal worth ~$4M per year. Iamaleava signed an NIL deal worth $2M per year in 2022, is looking to double his salary and has been in negotiations with Tennessee. I say, Cut him!

This is one of the reasons why Coach Saben decided to retire from coaching at the college level. What ever happened to being happy about getting a college scholarship and getting a chance to, play the game you love? I love it that college athletes (scholarship and non-scholarship) can get a little more than just tuition, room and board, a meal plan, and a little spending money……but this is ridiculous!

I would tell Nico to step…..and find another team, cause we ain’t having no shake downs! Sure, Iamaleava threw for 2, 616 yards and 19 touchdowns in 2024, which was his first season as Tennessee's starting quarterback., but he’s got a decision to make . I say, “say no” and let him hit the portal, and deal with the next man up!

[TimmieTennis]

Holding out for a bigger bag... see ya!

[windbag]

Lmao 4m for an early playoff exit at best? This has become a joke 😂

[marinzlife]

….which means SOMEONE’s making a competing offer!

[jeffreyross-zbcz]

As UMICH Grad GOD Bless Tenness, Nico Getting Really Poor Advice From Somebody. RJ I Love Your Show My Man, Your Great Sir

[BulletProofSoul]

This is why "buying" a player should be approached with caution. Here you have an LA kid who decides to head out to deep south Knoxville strictly for money. The only thing really keeping Nico there is money. Its fitting you bring up Carnell Tate, another 5 star who chose, and stayed at, his school because he believes in the coaching and culture. Tate is 100% bought in, not 100% bought. I dont see how Nico recovers from this and stays at TN. How can he look his teammates in the eye and say he's ready to captain their battle to become SEC and Natty Champs.

[RedSands]

With this story dropping, unless a lot of contradictory evidence comes to light I don’t think Iamaleava can stay there regardless of if he gets more money or not. He’s now going to be reviled by the same fan base that revolted and stopped the hiring of Schiano a few years back.

[iexist]

So does Oregon or Ohio State make an offer?

[Hippo]

I'm a life long Tennessee fan and in saying that, if the University of Tennessee gives in to a kid that hasn't held up to his ranking coming out of high school, I'm done supporting college football until they make these kids sign contracts and hold them accountable! I say this for every university. I sincerely feel sorry for the rest of the team because all Nico see's is dollar signs when he simply hasn't earned his asking price. He has failed every single one of his teammates and the university over greed👎👎👎 If this is true in anyway, let him walk UT!!!

[datboykrazy]

im a tenn fan idk what is going on bt it seems like if it is tru, it could be that his dad has someone in his ear and it is now in nico ear. if that is true i hate when parents control where there child goes just over money. but like i said i do not know

[atlbuck]

Ridiculous...this kind of stuff is going to kill a team sooner or later. Crazy

[michaeld]

Nico was not worth the 8 million to begin with. Defense got us to the playoffs. Remember Heupel got us Milton from Michigan and in my opinion he was a dud. Let him go to make a statement.

[scbuckeye]

I hope the clearing house will be a legit entity